Building construction



NV- 24, 1935- R. MfcALKlNs ET AL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec, 22, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 nvendfof'f- NOV 24, 1936- R. M. cALKlNs ET AL 2,062,160

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filled Dec. 22, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .www saw@ www Patented Nov. 24, 1936 PATENT OFFICE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Raymond M. Calkins, Deerfield, and James W. Swank, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 22, 1934, Serial No. 758,843

17 Claims.

Our invention relates to building ,construction and particularly to a form of construction involving panels of sheet steel or other suitable sheet material used for the framework and enclosure parts of a building of any type. It is one of the objects of our invention to provide an improved 'arrangement of panels in which the adjacent panels of a wall or like structure are connected rigidly together by the use of inter-engaging flanges` arranged in box formation along the vmeeting edges of the panels. It is another object of our invention to provide an improved arrangement of this type by which the desired rigidity of the panels is insured for use in a wall, a ceiling, a floor, or a roof or any like structure, when the panels are formed of comparatively thin gauge metal andwhen the inter-engaging flanges of adjacent panels are arranged in such manner that the panels may be fitted together without the necessity for movement of one panel longitudinally with respect to the other. ends, it is one of the objects' of our invention to provide an improved combination comprising an improved clip bolt by which the flange box of a panel or frame member or two interengaging flange boxes of adjacent parts may be clamped firmly into adjusted position so as to resist any stresses likely to be brought to bear upon the parts tending to move them out of adjustment. It is another object of our invention to provide an improved arrangement in which an integral form of clip or clamping means is provided, such improved arrangement serving preferably to hold the panels or other members 35 .not only from lateral or other transverse movement b ut also from movement longitudinally with respect to each other.

It is another object of our invention to'provide improved connections between the side wall panels and the sills, between the side wall panels and the roof panels, and between the panels and the door and window frames. It is another object of our invention to provide an improved arrangement at the ridge of the roof whereby the joint is made secure and weather tight.

It is another object of our invention toimprove building construction in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. 'I'he preferred means by which we have accomplished our several obhereinafter specifically described. That which we believe to be new and desire to .cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,-

Fig. l is a combination sectional and inside To these jects are illustrated in the drawings and are.4

(Cl. 18S- 1) elevational view showing more or less diagrammatically the arrangement of the various panels and other members for the formation of a building for use as a garage, barn, shop, or the like.

Figs. 2 and 3 are cross sectional views taken 5 respectively on the line 2-2 and the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view through the topv bar portion of a door frame and the associated parts;

Fig. 5 is a face view of the preferred form of door;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view through a double door frame and its associated parts, partially broken away for clearness of illustration;

Figs. 7 and 8 are cross sectional views taken respectively at the lines 'I--l and the line 8`8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional View similar to a portion of Fig. v1 but shown upon an enlarged scale; and

Fig. l0 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 9 but showing a modified form of construction.

Referring now to Figs. 1 t 9, in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters, I5 indicates a foundation of any suitable type having angle bars I6 and I1 secured thereon, the base portion of each of which is covered by a strip I8 of fibrous material filled with asphalt for protecting the angle from moisture. Upon the angles I 6 and I'I, We have provided side wall structures comprising panels I9 of sheet metal joined together by a corner member 20. As is clearly shown in Fig. 2, the panels I9 are bent along longitudinal lines at one edge to provide flanges 2|, 22, 23 and 24 arranged in box formation with each flange positioned at right angles with respect to the adjacent portions. At the opposite edge, each of the panels is provided with three flanges 25, 26 and 21 also in the form of a box of a shape and size adapted to receive within it an inside box 0f an adjacent panel as described above comprising the four flanges 2|, 22, 23 and 24. As ls also clearly shown in said Fig. 2, the corner member 2|] is provided with an outside box comprising flanges 25, 26 and 21 at one side and an inside box comprising anges 2l, 22, 23 and 24 at its opposite side, the boxes of the corner member 20 being interfitted with the adjacent 50 boxes of the adjacent panels.

As is clearly shown in said Fig. 2, we have provided clip bolts 28 having hooks 29 at one end adapted to t snugly about the outside flanges 24 and 42l of two interfitted boxes, the opposite end 55 portions of said clip bolts extending through suitable openings in the vertically disposed flanges of the angles I6 and I1 and being provided with .nuts 30 adjustably secured by means of screw threads thereon for tightening the clips securely about the ilanges for holding the parts rigidly in position. The arrangement is preferably such that the hook when tightened in position slightly deforms the edge portions of the ilanges 21 and 24 whereby the panels are held firmly against any movement longitudinally with respect to each other.

In the arrangement shown in the drawings, the side wall panels I9 are provided with reenforcing and insulating boards I9a. which are secured in position in snug contact with the inner faces o1 the body portions of the panels, such reenforcing boards being preferably secured in position by means of cement by'which a secure bond at all points along the contact surfaces shall be insured. The corner panel 20 likewise is provided with reenforcing and insulating boards 28a also secured in position by means of cement in the arrangement shown.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 1, a window frame 3l formed of sheet metal bent into the form of a channel is incorporated in the side walls at any approved point, the adjacent panels I9 extending into the outwardly open channel bars of the frame. The interfltted box portions of such panels extending into the channel bars of the frame 3I are secured in position by means of clip vbolts 28 extending through one side of the channel and engaging at least one flange of each of the intertted boxes as above described for holding the parts rigidly in operative relation.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the end wall of the building is formed with an obliquely disposed upper edge which extends upwardly into a channel portion 32 provided in the end panel 33 of the .roof structure, such panel 33 being similar to the panels I9 except for the provision of the,

channel 32 therein. In the arrangement shown, roof panels 34 similar,to the panels I9 are connected in series 'arrangement with the panel 33, each of such roof panels resting upon the upper edge of the side wall of the building. A sheet metal frame bar 35 is interposed between the ends of the side wall panels I9 and the roof panels 33 and 34, such frame bar in the arrangement shown comprising an angle bar portion 36 engaging the upper ends and the inner marginal face portions of the side wall panels and comprising also a plate portion 31 formed integrally with the angle 36 and extending upwardly and inwardly lfrom the outer, edge of said angle portion 36, the plate 31 being arranged obliquely to correspond with the desired slant of the roof panels. For supporting the panels 33 and 34 with respect to the side wall panels I9, we have provided clips 38 upon the under faces of the roof panels adapted to be slid downwardly and outwardly into engagement with the obliquely vdisposed plate portion 31 as is clearly shown in Fig. 9. As is clearly indicated in Fig. 3, the various roof panels 33 and 34 are rmly connected together at their adjacent edges by the interfitting boxes in the manner above described in connection 'with the side wall panels I9.

As is clearly shown inFig. 1, the upper edges of the roof sections at opposite sides of the building are connected together and strengthened and reenforced by means of a ridge pole structure 39 comprising two angle bars 40 and 4I connected together and held in spaced relation by means of triangular blocks 42, such blocks 42 being preferably secured to the angle bars by welding. The outwardly and downwardly extending flange portions of the angle bars 4U and 4I are positioned to conform to the slant of the roof panels 33 and 34 so as to insure snug engagement between the panels and the angle bars, as is shown in Fig. 1. Across the top of the ridge pole structure 39, we have provided a sheet metal cap 43 which extends downwardly a short distance at each side along the outside faces of the roof panels, the lower edge portions of the cap member 43 being secured at spaced intervals to the intertted boxes of the roof panelsk by means of sheet'metal screws 44.

For insuring a high degree of rmness of connection between the intertted boxes, we have de formed a corner of each ofthe boxes at spaced intervals along each pair of interiitted boxes so K the stresses which are likely to be applied to th structure.

In Fig. 5 we have shown an improved form of door comprising a frame 45 formed of channel bars 4B rigidly connected together in rectangular form and reenforced by corner brace members 41.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 6, the channel bars 46 of a door open inwardly so as to receive and rigidly support a plurality of panels 48 similar to the panels I9, but of `slightly diilerent dimensions. Adjacent flange box structures carried by the panels 48 and similar to the boxes above described in connection with the panels I9 serve for connecting the several panels'48 of a door. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 6,' two intertting doors are shown mounted side by side and designed to be hinged at their outer edges to the upright door posts 49 of channel formation arranged for receiving the edges of panels I9 in a.`

snug t therein. As is clearlyshown in Fig. 4, the cross bar 50 of the door frame by which the door posts 49 are connected at their upper ends is of similar formation, being arranged to receive the lower ends of intertted panels I9 therein.

.In the arrangement shown in Fig.v 10, roof panels 5I are provided in inverted position as compared with the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 9. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 10, the panels are similar to the panels 34, being connected together in series by intertted ange boxes at their adjacent edges, and the channels are mounted in the same .manner as is above described. The panels 5I are supported with respect to the frame bar 52 at the upper edge of the side wall of the building in slightly diierent manner, in that said panels 5I are secured to the obliquely disposed plate portion of said frame bar 52 by means of clip bolts 28 extending through such obliquely disposed plate portion of the frame bar rather than by means of the clips 38 as shown in Fig. 9. The arrangement shown in Fig. 10 differs further from that'shown in Fig. 9 in that reenforcing and insulating boards 53 are employed secured preferably by-cement to the body portions of said panels 5I.

By the use of our improved construction, a Very strong and rigid structure is provided, one which can befabricated complete at the factory and can be installed very quickly and easily at the job by comparatively unskilled workmen. The arrangement is such that the parts can be very readily fitted together and then quickly and `easily secured firmly in position in such manner as to be permanently tight and rigid without danger of working loose and without danger of objectionable vibration under any normal conditions.

While we prefer, to employ the form of construction as illustrated in the drawings and as above described, it is to be understood that our invention is not limited thereto except so far as the claims may be so limited by the prior art.

We claim:-

1. In a building construction, the combination of a plurality of panels of sheet material each bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions alongeach edge in the form of a box and with the boxes of each panel interfitted with the adjacent boxes of the adjacent panels, a frame member extending in cross relation to said panels and engaging a plurality of said sets of interiitted boxes, and clips connected with said frame member at intervals therealong and having gripping engagement respectively with different sets of said intertted boxes for clamping them rigidly in position.

2. In a building construction, the combination of a plurality of panels of sheet material each bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions along each edge in the form of a box and with the boxes of each panel interfitted with the adjacent boxes of the adjacent panels, a frame member extending in cross relation to said panels, and clip bolts extending through said frame member and bearing on at least one flange of each of the interiitted boxes for clamping the boxes rigidly in position.

3. In a building construction, the combination of a plurality of panels of sheet material each bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions along each edge in the form of a box and with the boxes of each panel interfitted with the adjacent boxes of the adjacent panels, a frame member extending in cross relation to said panels, and clip bolts in the form of hooks extending through said frame member and extending about at least one flange of each of the interfitted boxes vfor clamping the boxes together and securing them rigidly to said frame member.

4. In a'panel construction, the combination of a plurality of panels of sheet material each bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions along each edge in the form of a box and with the boxes of each panel interfitted with the adjacent boxes. of the adjacent panels, frame members extending in cross relationship to said panels at their upper and lower ends and each engaging a plurality of said sets of interftted boxes, and clips connected with the frame members at spaced points therealong and having gripping engagement with the adjacent sets of intertted boxes for clamping the boxes rigidly in position with respect to the frame members.

5. In a panel construction, the combination of a plurality of panels of sheet material each bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of ange portions along each edge in the form of a box and with the boxes of each panel interfltted with the adjacent boxes of the adjacent panels, a frame member comprising a plate portion extending in cross relationship to said panels in contact with one face thereof, and clips in the -form of hook bolts extending through openings in said plate portion and extending about portions of said interiitted boxes for clamping 'the boxes rigidly together.

6. In a panel construction, the combination of a panel of sheet material bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions in the form of a box along one edge, a second panel of sheet material in edge to edge relation to said first named panel and bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions in the form of a box along one edge thereof fitting within the box of said first named panel, the outside flange of said first named box being bent inwardly into tight engagement with the ins'ide box for locking said boxes firmly together.

'7. In a panel construction, the combination of a panel of sheet material bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions in the form of a box along one edge, a second panel of sheet material in edge to edge relation to said first named panel and bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions in the form of a box along one edge thereof fitting within the box of said first named panel, said intertted boxes being deformed at a corner portion for locking said boxes against movement either transversely or longitudinally with respect to each other.

8. In a panel construction, the combination of a panel of sheet material bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of ange portions in the form of a box along one edge, -a second panel of sheet material in edge to edge relation to saidv rst named panel and bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions in 4the form of a box along one edge thereof fitting within the box of said first named panel, the outside iiange of said first named box being bent inwardly at a series of spaced points therealong into tight gripping engagement with the inside box for locking said boxes firmly together.

9. In a panel construction, the combination of a panel of sheet material bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of iiange portions in the form of a box along one edge, a second panel of sheet material in edge to edge relation. to said first named panel and bent along longitudinal lines for providing a series of flange portions in the form of a box along one edge thereof fitting within the box of said first named panel, the outside flange of said first named box being bent inwardly into tight holding engagement with a corner portion of the inside box for resisting -movement of said boxes either transversely or longitudinally with respect to each other.

10. In a building construction, the combination of a plurality of panels of sheet material each bent along longitudinal lines fo-r providing a series of flange portions along each edge in the form of a box and with the boxes of each panel interiitted withlthe adjacent boxes of the adjacent panels, a frame member extending in cross relation to said panels, and means for connecting each of said panels in rigid position with respect to said frame member, the outside flange of each pair of boxes being bent inwardly into tight engagement with the inside box at a point in spaced relation to said frame member for locking said boxes together.

11. In a panel construction, the combination of a wall comprising a plurality of panels of sheetA material firmly secured together in edge to edge relation, 'a sheet metal frame bar comprising an angle portion engaging the upper ends and the inside marginal face portions of the panels and a plate portion extending upwardly and inwardly from the outer edge of said angle portion, a second Wall structure comprising a plurality of panels of sheet material resting on the obliquely disposed plate portion of said frame bar, clips connecting said first named panels with said frame bar, and other clips carried by the panels of said second Wall structure adapted by engagement with said obliquely disposed plate portion of said frame bar to support said panels from said frame bar.

12. In a panel construction', the combination of a Wall comprising a plurality of panels of sheet material firmly secured together in edge to edge relation, a sheet metal frame barcomprising an angle portion engaging the upper ends and the inside marginal face portions of the panels and a plate portion extending upwardly and inwardly from the outer edge of said angle portion, a second wall structure comprising a plurality of panels of sheet material resting on the obliquely disposed plate portion of said frame bar, clips connecting said first named panels with said frame bar, and other clips carried by the panels of said second Wall structure on their under facesslidable downwardly into engagement with said obliquely disposed plate portion of said frame bar.

13. In a panel construction, the combination of a panel of sheet material bent along longitudinal lines for providing an edge frame structure comprising a plurality of flange portions in angular relation to each other, a second panel of sheet material in edge to edge relation to said first named panel and bent along longitudinal lines for providing an edge frame structure comprising a plurality of flange portions in angular relation to each other adapted to have interfitting engagement with said first named edge frame structure, and adjustable clips adap-ted to be tightened into position for connecting the interftted edge frame ystructures rigidly together.

14. In al` panel construction, the combination of a panel of sheet material bent along longitudinal lines for providing an edge frame structure comprising a plurality of flange portions in angular relation to each other, a second panel of sheet material in edge to edge relation to said first named panel and bent along longitudinal lines for providing an edge frame structure comprising a plurality of flange portions in angular relation to each other adapted to have intertting engagement with Asaid first named edge frame structure, and rigid clip bolts in the form of hooks extending about portions of both of said edge frame structures forconnecting them rigidly together.

15. In a panel construction, the combination of a panel of sheet material bent along longitudinal lines for providing an edge frame structure comprising a plurality of ange portions inl angular relation to each other, a second panel of sheet material in edge to edge relation to said first named panel and bent along longitudinal lines for providing an edge frame structure comprising a plurality of flange portions in angular relation to each other adapted to have interfitting/ engagement with said first named edge frame structure, the outside flanges of said interfitted boxes being bent out of longitudinal alignment at one point therealong, and a rigid clip bolt in the form of a hook having ripping engagement with said outside flanges at said point of deformation for holding the boxes rigidly together.

16. In a panel construction, the combination of a panel of sheet material bent along longitudinal lines for providing an edge frame structure comprising a plurality of flange portions in angular relation to each other, a second panel of sheet material in edge to edgerelation to said first named panel and bent along longitudinal lines for providing an edge frame structure comprising a plurality of flange portions in angular relation to leach other adapted to have intertting engagement with said first named edge frame structure, and a rigid clip bolt in the form of a hook extending about the outside flanges of said interfitted boxes and having engaging portions positioned in different angular relation from that normally held by said flanges whereby when the clips are tightened gripping pressure is applied to said flanges.

17. In a panel construction, the combination of a Wall structure formed of panels f sheet material firmly secured together in edge to edge relation and having an obliquely disposed upper edge, and a second series of panels of sheet ma,- terial firmly secured together in edge tov edge relation, with the panel overlying said first named wall structure provided with an inverted channel portion longitudinally thereof rfitting snugly about the upper edge of said rst named wall structure.

RAYMOND M. CALKINS. JAMES W. SWANK. 

